Table apparatus

ABSTRACT

An improved table apparatus for displayingly supporting predetermined objects, particularly useful for teaching patients personal oral hygiene while functioning as a consultation and decorator table, in one form; the table apparatus having a table top removably supporting a plurality of support modules; lids movably connected to the table top enclosing the support modules in a closed position thereof, the upper faces of the lids cooperating to form a portion of the upper surface of the table top in closed positions thereof; and a table base enclosing a utility storage area.

rte States atent 1191 1111 3, Skarky Aug. 13, 1974- [54] TABLE APPARATUS3,295,206 l/1967 Sharp et a1 312/209 x r 3,361,508 1/1968 Chassevent312/223 [76] Inventor- F|Yd skafkyr 3431 Utah 3,532,221 10/1970Kaluhiokalani et a1 [08/26 Oklahoma City, Okla. 73120 [22] Filed: Aug.8, 1972 Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney, A em, or Firm-Dunla,Lane Hessin, [21] Appl Nov: Dougherty' L Codding p [52] US. Cl 108/26,108/33, 312/209, [57] ABSTRACT f 1312/223 A 51 1m. (:1. A47b 85/00, A47b81/00 mpmved table apparatus for "lsplaymgly 58 Rd E S h 108 26 312 223mg predetermined ObJGCtS, particularly useful for l l r 9 3 teachingpatients personal oral hygiene while functioning as a consultation anddecorator table, in one form; the table apparatus having a table topremovably sup- [56] References cued zporting a plurality of supportm0du1es;-lids movably UNITED STATES PATENTS connected to the table topenclosing the support mod- 2,654,650 1 10/1953 Stanton 108/25 X ules ina closed position thereof, the upper faces of the 2,733,1 10 1/1956Berner et a1. 108/25 X lids cooperating to form'a portion ofthe uppersurface 3,041,957 7/1962 Liptay 312/209 X of the table top in losedpositions thereof; and a table 3,111,095 11/1963 Gooclman 108/26 baseenclosing a utility storage area 3,156,510 11/1964 Hlndm et a1. 312/2233,290 108 12/1956 Beckrnan et a1. 108/25 5 Claims, 7 Drawing FiguresPATENTEB we 1 3I974 SHEET 2 BF 2 TABLE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally totable constructions and, more particularly, but not by way oflimitation, to a table apparatus supporting a plurality of supportmodules.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art In the past, various tables havebeen constructed for a variety of purposes. In some instances, tableshave been constructed in a manner attempting to unite a particularutilitarian function with a predetermined decorator or ornamentalpurpose.

The problems generally relates to furniture design and construction havebeen particularly acute with respect to furniture designed for use in adentists or doctors office where certain dental appliances, for example,are not readily supported in an esthetically appealing housing. Thus, ithas generally been found that most furniture designed for the lastmentioned applications either utilizes an expensive cabinet structure tosurround or housingly encompass various dental appliances, and furnitureof an ordinary office furniture construction in the office and receptionarea. This same general problem has also been encountered in otherprofessional applications such as cosmetology, optometry and the likewherein it becomes necessary to have facilities available for use duringconsultations and for use while teaching the patient or client variousskills or allowing the patient or client a sufficient individualizedworking area for sampling various products prior to purchasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Still another object of the invention is toprovide a table apparatus for supporting various modules and the likewhich is economical in the construction and the operation thereof.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from thefollowing detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate the various embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thetable apparatus of the present invention, showing two of the lids in anopened position providing access to the support modules thereunder andshowing the view box pivoted to a position exposing the lightableviewing surface thereof.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view ofthe table apparatus ofthe presentinvention, taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial perspective, partial diagrammatic view ofone of the lids of the table apparatus of FIG. 1 in an opened positionand showing the support module disposed thereunder.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the table apparatus of FIG. 1; but,showing the lids in a closed position and the view box pivoted to aposition wherein the side thereof, opposite the side having thelightable viewing surface formed thereon, is disposed in a generallycoplanar relationship with the upper surface of the table apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the table apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modified lid and amodified support module utilizable in a table apparatus, similar to thetable apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing another modified lid andanother modified support module utilizable in a table apparatus, similarto the table apparatus of FIG. ll.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In many applications it hasbecome desirable to teach a portion of a subject matter to individualsand to provide a learning environment maximizing the qualitative andquantatative amount of the subject matter transferred to the individualand retained by the individual. In some of these applications, theparticular subject matter involves training the individual to operate,manipulate or utilize various objects, this type of training or teachingsituation involving not only the transfer of knowledge from theobserver-teacher to the individualstudent, but also involves theobservance by the observer-teacher of the individual-studentmanipulating and operating the various objects to immediately correctany defective procedures prior to the forming of bad habits" and toassure that the individual-student has sufficiently mastered theparticular learned skill. It has been found that, in some applications,a learning environment wherein a number of individual-students aresimultaneously instructed in the particular skill enhances thequalitative and quantatative transfer of knowledge to the student whileminimizing the observer-teacher time per student, noting that the groupof individual-students should generally be relatively small in number.

Referring to one particular application of the present invention, forexample, it has become desirable with the field of dentistry for thedentist to educate and instruct the patient in personal oral hygiene,or, in a more particular application, to instruct the patient in themanipulation, utilization and operation of various objects to controlplaque build-up on the patients teeth. In this last-mentionedapplication, the dentist will generally first consult with the patientreviewing the present con dition of the patients teeth and gums, andthen schedule training sessions for instructing the patient in properoral hygiene or, more particularly, in the utilization of variousobjects to effect proper oral hygiene. The table apparatus of thepresent invention provides facilities for operating and functioning as aconsultation table during the initial consultations between the dentistand the patient, and subsequently provides facilities for functioningand operating in the nature of a teaching table wherein one or morepatients are instructed in oral hygiene and the utilization, operationand manipulation of various objects for effecting plaque control and thelike, the table apparatus of the present invention also functioning as adecorator table" during those times when the table apparatus is notbeing utilized for consultation or instruction thereby minimizing thetotal equipment investment cost of the dentist and maximizing theoperational benefits of the table apparatus, in a manner which will bemade more apparent below.

Referring to the drawings in general, and to FIGS. 1 through 5 inparticular, shown therein and designated by the general referencenumeral is a table apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. The table apparatus 10 generally includes: a table top 12having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16; a plurality ofsupport modules 18 for supporting some of the various objects utilizedduring one aspect of the operation of the table apparatus 10; aplurality of lids 20, each lid 20 being movably connected to a portionof the table top 12 for positioning in an opened and a closed position;and a table base 22 connected to a portion of the lower surface 16 ofthe table top 12 for supporting the table top 12 in a predetermined,elevated position. In one form, the table apparatus 10 also includes aview box assembly 24 movably supported in a central portion of the uppersurface 14 of the table top 12, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and4. The lids 20 and the view box assembly 24 are, in a preferred form,each movable to a position wherein a portion of each of the lids 20 anda portion of the view box assembly 24 cooperates with the upper surface14 of the table top 12 to form a relatively flat surface, the tableapparatus 10 being thus positionable to function as a decorator table orthe like, in a manner to be made more apparent below.

The table top 12 has an outer periphery 26 and a plurality of sides 28,the table apparatus 10 including six sides 28 in the form of theinvention shown in the drawings and as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1 and4. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the table top 12 includes an uppertable member 30 and a lower table member 32, the upper table memberbeing spaced a distance 34 from the lower table member 32 providing anopen space 36 therebetween. More particularly, the upper table member 30includes an upper surface 38 and a lower surface 40, and the lower tablemember 32 includes an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 44, the uppersurface 38 of the upper table member 30 forming a portion of the uppersurface 14 of the table top 12 and the lower surface 44 of the lowertable member 32 forming a portion of the lower surface 16 of the tabletop 12, in an assembled position of the upper table member 30 and thelower table member 32.

A support member 46 is interposed between the upper table member 30 andthe lower table member 32, the upper end of the support member 46 being,more particularly, connected to the lower surface 40 of the upper tablemember 30. The lower end of the support member 46 is connected to aportion of the upper surface 42 of the lower table member 32, thesupport member 46 thereby securedly supporting the upper table member 30and the lower table member 32 in a predetermined spaced relationship,the distance 34 being, more particularly, the distance between the lowersurface 40 of the upper table member 30 and the upper surface 42 of thelower table member 32, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. ln a preferredform, the support member 46 extends about the outer periphery 26 of thetable top 12 forming an outer peripheral surface 48, the outerperipheral surface 48 formed via the support member 46 cooperating toform a portion of the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12. The uppertable member 30 has an outer periphery 50 and the lower table member 32has an outer periphery 52, the outer peripheral surface 48 of thesupport member 46 and the outer peripheries 50 and 52 of the upper andthe lower table members 30 and 32 forming the outer periphery of thetable top 12, as shown more clearly in FlGS. l, 2 and 5. A portion ofthe upper table member 30 generally near the outer periphery 50 thereofextends radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface 48 formedby the support member 46 and a portion of the lower table member 32generally near the outer periphery 52 thereof extends radially outwardlybeyond the outer peripheral surface 48 of the support member 46, therebyforming a recess 54 in the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12,extending about the outer periphery thereof, for reasons which will bemade more apparent below.

As shown more clearly in FIG 2, the table apparatus 10 also includes aplurality of supports 56, each of the supports 56 being interposedbetween the upper and the lower table members 30 and 32. The supports 56cooperate with the support member 46 to maintain the spaced relationshipbetween the upper and the lower table members 30 and 32 and, in apreferred form,

some of the supports 56 are interposed between the upper and the lowertable members 30 and 32 and are positioned to partially encompass aportion of the space 36 between the upper and the lower table members 30and 32 forming a plurality of module receiving openings 58 in the space36, the module receiving openings 58 being spaced peripherally about thetable top 12 and shaped to receive and support a portion of each of thesupport modules 18, in a manner to be described in greater detail below.

A plurality of lid openings 60 are formed in the upper surface 14 of thetable top 12 and, more particularly, each of the lid openings 60 isformed through the upper surface 38 of the upper table member 30 or, inother words, each of the module receiving openings 58 extends throughthe upper table member 30 intersecting a portion of the upper surface 38thereof, forming the lid openings 60 in the upper surface 14 of thetable top 12. Each of the lid openings 60 is spaced peripherally aboutthe table top 12 and each lid opening 60 is disposed and oriented toprovide communication with one of the module receiving openings 58formed between the upper and the lower table members 30 and 32. In apreferred form, a portion of each of the lid openings 60 also intersectsa portion of the outer periphery 26 of the table top 12, or, moreparticularly, a portion of the outer periphery 50 of the upper tablemember 30, one lid opening 60 and a cooperating module receiving opening58 being formed generally near each side 26 of the table top 12, in apreferred form and for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

Each lid 20 includes an upper face 62 and a lower face 64, each lid 20being disposed generally within one of the lid openings 60. One end ofeach lid 20 is movably connected to a portion'of the upper table member30 formed via the lid opening 60 therethrough, each lid being, moreparticularly, hingedly connected to the upper table member for movementin a lid opening direction 66 and in a lid closing direction 68, asshown more clearly in FIG. 2. Each lid 20 is sized to substantiallyencompass one of the lid openings formed in the upper table member 30when the lid 20 has been moved in the closing direction 68 to a closedposition, thereby minimizing the gaps between the sides'of each of thelids 20 and the adjacent surfaces of the upper table member 30 formedvia the lid openings 60' therethrough.

Each lid 21) is sized such that a portion of each of the lower faces 64engage a portion of the upper surface of the support member 46 when thelids 20 are moved in a lid closing direction 68, the support member 46 vthereby engaging a portion of the lower face 64 of each of the lids 20to limit the movement of each of the lids 20 in a lid closing direction68 and to support each lid 20 in a closed position. In the closedposition, each lid 20 is disposed generally within one of the lidopenings 60 formed through the upper surface 14 of the table top 12. Thesupport member 46 and the lids 20 are sized such that the support member46, more particularly, engagingly supports each lid 20 in a closedposition wherein the upper'face 62 of each of the lids 20 lies in aplane substantially coplanar with the upper surface 38 of the uppertable-member 30, the upper faces 62 of each of the lids 20thereby-forming a portion of the upper surface 14 of the table top 12.

In a preferred form, each of the lids 20 is sized such that in a closedposition of each of the lids 20 a portion of each of the lids 21)extends radially beyond the outer peripheral surface 48 formed by thesupport member 46 thereby providing a downwardly facing lifting surface72 extending over a portion of the recess 54 formed in the outerperiphery 26 of the table top 12. The lifting surface 72 of each of thelids 20 is engageable for raising each of the lids 20 in a lid openingdirection 66 to an opened position thereof, and for lowering each lid 20in a lid closing direction 68 to a closed position thereof, therebyeliminating the necessity of providing a handle .or other such grippingsurface for opening and closing the lids 20.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3 each of the lids 20 includes ahinge arm having one-end pivotally connected to one side of one of thelids 20, the opposite end of each hinge arm 80 having a rollablefriction type bearing 82 or the like connected thereto. Each bearing 82is retainingly disposed within a channel 84 formed within one sideportion of the table top 12 formed by the lid opening 60 therein. Thus,each lid 20 is hingedly connected to the table top 12 and openable tovarious predetermined positions, each lid 20 being supported, in aparticular opened position via the friction engagement between thebearing 82 and the channel 84.

A mirror 86 is secured to a portion of the lower face 64 of each lid 28.Thus, each mirror 86 is adjustably positionable in various openedpositions for utilization during one aspect of the operation of thetable apparatus 10.

A cuspidor 90 is disposed and supported ,within a portion of eachsupport module receiving opening 58, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2.The form of cuspidor shown in the drawings, for example, is commerciallyavailable from such suppliers as Vacudent Industrial Center of Salt LakeCity, Utah, and is generally utilized.

with a disposable paper cup disposed therein in a manner generallywell-known in the art, although other forms of cuspidors are, of course,utilizable with the table apparatus of the present invention.

Each cuspidor 90 is connected to a vacuum source 92 via a hose 94, thevacuum source 92 being more particularly securedly connected to andsupported within a portion of the table base 22,.as shown in FIG. 2. Thevacuum source 92 can be of the type generally referred to as a drysystem separator" commercially available from such suppliers as DentsplyInternational of York, Pa, for example, although other forms of vacuumsources are of course utilizable with the table apparatus of the presentinvention.

Each support module 18 includes a supporting surface 98 having aplurality of object receiving depressions 100 formed therein forsupporting various .objects and articles of the support modules 18. Moreparticularly, each support module 18 includes depression 102 formed inthe supporting surface 98 for supporting an article or package 104which, in one preferred form, contains a toothbrush, dental floss,disclosing wafers for checking the student-patients success at cleaninghis teeth and similar articles'utilized to teach studentpatients oralhygiene, for example.

Each support module 18 includes a cup depression 106, formed in thesupporting surface 98, in one preferred form, for supporting adisposable cup 108, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example. Each supportmodule 18 also includes a light depression formed in the supportingsurface 98 and a light source 112 disposed and supported within eachlight depression 110, each light source 112 preferably includes anadjustable neck portion so the student-patient can easily focus thelight on selected portions of the student-patients teeth for observationin the mirror 86, for example.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, each support module 18 includes a slot114 formed in a portion of the supporting surface 98, a portion of eachof theslots 114 intersecting one side of the support modules 18. Eachslot 114 is sized to receive a portion of one of the cuspidors 90, aportion of the supporting surface 98 generally near the slots 114engaging and supporting the cuspidors 90, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

A lip 116 is formed about a portion of the outer periphery of eachsupport module 18, each lip 116 extending a distance from one of thesupport modules 18. The lip 116 formed on each support module 18 isshaped and sized to engage a portion of the supports 56 and the supportmember 46 supporting each support module 18 in an assembled positionwithin one of the module receiving openings 58. Thus, each supportmodule 18 is removably supported within one of the module receivingopenings 58 so that each support module 18 can be easily, quickly andconveniently supported in an assembled position in the table top 12 orremoved therefrom during various aspects of the operation of the tableapparatus 10.

An opening 120 is formed in a central portion of the table top 12 or,more particularly, the upper table member 30, the opening 120intersecting the upper surface 14 of the table top 12 and communicatingwith the open space 36 between the upper and the lower table members 30and 32. A view box 122 is disposed within the opening 120 and pivotallysupported and connected to the table top 12 to be pivoted to oneposition exposing a lightable viewing surface 124 formed thereon and toone other position positioning a side 126, formed on the side of theview box 122 opposite the side having the lightable viewing surface 124formed thereon, in a plane generally coplanar with'the upper surface 14of the table top 12, the side 126 thereby forming a portion of the uppersurface 14 of the table top 12 in one pivoted position of the view box122. The view box can include an X-ray type of viewer forming thelightable viewing surface 124, such X-ray type of viewers beingcommercially available from such suppliers as Zirc Company ofMinneapolis, Minn., for example.

The view box 122 includes an on-of switch 128 for actuating thelightable viewing surface 124 during the operation of the tableapparatus 10. In a preferred form, the side 126 is substantially thesame size as the opening 120 thereby minimizing the gap 130 between theside 126 and the portion of the upper table member 30 formed by theopening 120 therethrough.

The view box 122 and the light source 112 are connected to an electricaloutlet 134, via cables 136 and 138, respectively. The electrical outlet134 is disposed within a portion of the table base 22 and provides acommon outlet for connecting the view box 122 and the light source 112to an electrical power supply. In one form, the view box 122 and thelight source 112 are each operated via a battery type power supply,thereby eliminating the necessity of providing cables 136 and 138 andthe outlet 134.

The space 36 between the upper and the lower table members 30 and 32provides a utility opening for accommodating various utility connectionssuch as the cables 136 and 138 and the hoses 94. The various utilityconnections are thus accommodated in a manner substantially eliminatingthe necessity of exposing such connecting members.

The table base 22 includes a pluralityof support legs 144, each supportleg 144 being connected on one end to a portion of the lower surface 44of the lower table member 32 and on the opposite ends thereof to thebase member 146. In a preferred form, the support legs 144 eachcooperatingly provide the support for the table apparatus supporting thetable top 12 at a predetermined elevation.

A plurality of door panels 148 are secured to the support legs 144, thedoor panels 148 encompassing and enclosing a utility storage area orspace 150. Some of the door panels 148 are hingedly connected to thesupport legs 144 via the hinge connections 152, the door panels 148hingedly connected to the support legs 144 are movable to a closedposition and in a opening direction 154 (shown in FIG. 5) to an openedposition providing access to the utility storage area 150.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum source 92 and the outlet 134 are each,more particularly, connected to and supported by the support legs 144,and the vacuum source 92 and the outlet 134 are each disposed within theutility storage space 150. Thus, access is provided to the vacuum source92 and the outlet 134 by moving one of the door panels 148 in theopening direction 154 for case of installation, service and replacement.

It should be noted that the support legs 144 and the base member 146cooperatingly provide the structural support for the table top 12, andthe door panels 148 encompass-the utility storage space 150; but, in apreferred form, do not provide any substantial supporting function.Therefore, each of the door panels 148 is sized and the table top 12 isspaced from the base member 146 such that a relatively small gap orclearance 156 between the upper end of the door panels 148 and the lowersurface 16 of the table top 12 and between the lower ends of the doorpanels 148 and the base member 146 so the door panels 148 can be movedin the opening direction 154 in a relatively friction free manner.

Thus, when the lids are each moved to the closed position and the viewbox 122 is pivoted to the position wherein the side 126 is disposed in acoplanar relationship with the upper surface 14 of the table top 12, thetable apparatus 10 functions in the nature of a decorator tableproviding the various functions normally associated with tables. Whenthe table apparatus 10 is utilized in the particular application,mentioned before, the dentist pivots the view box 122 to a positionexposing the lightable viewing surface 124 and displays the patientsX-rays during the consultations with the patient to explain thecondition of the patients teeth and the various steps which must betaken to place the patients teeth in a healthy condition.

At various times, one to six patients are scheduled to attend trainingsessions at the dentist's office to learn the various techniques to beutilized to maintain the patients teeth in a healthy condition,vand toobserve the patients utilization and manipulations of the variousobjects or devices to be utilized by the patient in maintaining theteeth in a healthy condition. During the training sessions, each patientsits in front of one of the sides 28 of the table apparatus 10, andmoves the lid 20 to the opened position providing access to the supportmodule 18 supported thereunder. In this position, the mirror 86, thecuspidor 90, the cup 108 and the light source 112 are each available forutilization by the patient during the training sessions. Each supportmodule 18 can be easily removed and replaced with a new or clean supportmodule 18 after each use, the cuspidors being detached from the supportmodules 18 via the slots 114 as the support modules 18 are being removedfrom the support module receiving opening 58.

Embodiment of FIG. 6

Shown in FIG. 6 is a modified support module 18a associated with amodified lid 20a which can be utilized in the table apparatus 10,described before, in lieu of the support modules 18, the view box 122being eliminatable in this applicational embodiment of the invention.The modified lid 20a is constructed similar to the lid 20; but, the lid20a includes a modified mirror 86a secured to the lower face 64athereof, and a pair of cosmetic lights 158, one cosmetic light 158 beingdisposed on each side of the mirror 86a.

The modified support module 18a includes a modified supporting surface98a having modified object receiving depressions formed therein. Thisparticular embodiment of the invention is particularly useful incosmetology applications for displaying various cosmetics and trainingthe student-customers in the utilization and application of the variouscosmetics and cosmetic applying apparatus, for example.

Embodiment of FIG. 7

Shown in FIG. 7 is another modified support module 18h associated with amodified lid 20b, which can also be utilized in the table apparatus 10,described before, in lieu of the support modules 18b. The modified lid20!) is constructed similar to the lid 20; but, the lid 20); includes amodified mirror 86b secured to the lower face 64b thereof, and a slidefilm viewer 162 secured to the lower face 64]) generally on one side ofthe mix"- ror 86b.

The slide film viewer 162 includes a view screen 164, a slide receivingopening 166 and an on-off switch 168. In the on position of the on-offswitch 168 a light source (not shown) is lighted and slide films areinserted via the slide receiving opening 166 and viewable by thestudent-patient on the view screen 164, in a manner wellknown in theart. The particular slide film viewer 162 can be battery operated orconnected to the outlet 134 in a manner described before with respect tothe light sources 112.

The modified support module 1819 includes a modified supporting surface98b having modified object receiving depressions 100!) formed therein.More particularly, the support module 18b includes a slide film viewdepression 170 formed in a portion of the modified light depression100a, the slide film viewer depres sion 170 receiving and accommodatingthe slide film viewer 162 in a closed position of the lids 20. Thus, thesupport modules 18b will operate in a manner similar to the supportmodules 18, described before; but, also provide means for viewingvarious slide films which may be useful in some applications.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variousparts or elements of the various embodiments disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined inthe following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A table apparatus for displayingly supporting predetermined objects in one position thereof, comprising:

a table top having an outer periphery, and upper surface, a lowersurface and at least one module receivingopening formed in a portion ofthe table top, each module receiving opening extending a distancebetween the upper surface and the lower surface of the table top and aportion of each module receiving opening intersecting a portion of thetable top forming a lid opening in the table top;

at least one lid, each lid having an upper face and a lower face andeach lid disposed within one module receiving opening in one position;

means having a portion connected to each lid and another portionconnected to the table top movably connecting each lid to the table topfor movement to an opened position providing access to one of the modulereceiving openings and to a closed position disposing the lid connectedthereto within a portion of one of the lid openings;

means having a portion connected to the table top and another portionengageable with the lower face of one of the lids in a closed positionof the lid, said means supporting each lid in a closedposition disposedwithin one of the module receiving openings;

at least one support module, each support module removably disposedwithin one of the module receiving openings and having a supportingsurface formed thereon for receiving and supporting objects;

means having a portion connected to the table top and another portionengageable with a portion of each of the support modules, said meansremovably supporting each support module within one of the modulereceiving openings, the support surface of each support module beingaccessible via one of the lid openings in an opened position of the lid;and

support leg means having a portion connected to the lower surface of thetable top supporting the table top in an elevated position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a recess is formed in a portion ofthe outer periphery of the table top; and wherein each lid openingintersects a portion of the outer periphery of the table top; andwherein the means supporting the lids in a closed position is definedfurther as supporting each lid in a closed position wherein the upperface of each lid is disposed in a plane substantially co-planar with theupper surface of the table top in a closed position of the lid andwherein a portion of each lid extends over a portion of the recessformed in the outer periphery of the table top providing a liftingsurface engageable for moving the lids from a closed to an openedposition.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table top is defined further toinclude:

an upper table member, having an upper surface forming the upper surfaceof the table top;

a lower table member, having a lower table surface forming the lowersurface of the table top, the lower table member spaced a predetermineddistance from the upper table member and disposed in a planesubstantially co-planar with the planar disposition of the upper tablemember; and

a support member interposed between the upper and the lower tablemembers and connected to the upper and the lower table memberssupporting the upper and the lower table members in a predeterminedspaced relationship, the module receiving openings being formed in aportion of the space between the upper and the lower table members, thesupport member extending about the outer periphery of the table top;

a portion of the upper table member extending beyond the outerperipheral surface formed by the support member and the lid openingsintersecting a portion of the outer periphery of the upper table member,the lids each extending a distance radially beyond the outer peripheralsurface formed by the support member forming a lifting surfaceengageable for moving the lids from a closed to an opened position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 defined further to include:

door panel means connected to the support leg means and enclosing autility storage space, some of the door panel means being hingedlyconnected to the support leg means and movable to a closed position andto an opened position, access to the utility storage space beingprovided via some of the I door panel means in an opened positionthereof;

cuspidor means disposed and supported within a portion of each supportmodule receiving opening; and

vacuum source means disposed within the utility storage space; and

objects, a lip being formed about a portion of the outer periphery ofand extending a distance from each support module, a portion of the lipengaging the means supporting the support modules in a supportedposition of the support modules within the module receiving openings.

1. A table apparatus for displayingly supporting predetermined objectsin one position thereof, comprising: a table top having an outerperiphery, and upper surface, a lower surface and at least one modulereceiving opening formed in a portion of the table top, each modulereceiving opening extending a distance between the upper surface and thelower surface of the table top and a portion of each module receivingopening intersecting a portion of the table top forming a lid opening inthe table top; at least one lid, each lid having an upper face and alower face and each lid disposed within one module receiving opening inone position; means having a portion connected to each lid and anotherportion connected to the table top movably connecting each lid to thetable top for movement to an opened position providing access to one ofthe module receiving openings and to a closed position disposing the lidconnected thereto within a portion of one of the lid openings; meanshaving a portion connected to the table top and another portionengageable with the lower face of one of the lids in a closed positionof the lid, said means supporting each lid in a closed position disposedwithin one of the module receiving openings; at least one supportmodule, each support module removably disposed within one of the modulereceiving openings and having a supporting surface formed thereon forreceiving and supporting objects; means having a portion connected tothe table top and another portion engageable with a portion of each ofthe support modules, said means removably supporting each support modulewithin one of the module receiving openings, the support surface of eachsupport module being accessible via one of the lid openings in an openedposition of the lid; and support leg means having a portion connected tothe lower surface of the table top supporting the table top in anelevated position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a recess isformed in a portion of the outer periphery of the table top; and whereineach lid opening intersects a portion of the outer periphery of thetable top; and wherein the means supporting the lids in a closedposition is defined further as supporting each lid in a closed positionwherein the upper face of each lid is disposed in a plane substantiallyco-planar with the upper surface of the table top in a closed positionof the lid and wherein a portion of each lid extends over a portion ofthe recess formed in the outer periphery of the table top providing alifting surface engageable for moving the lids from a closed to anopened position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the table top isdefined further to include: an upper table member, having an uppersurface forming the upper surface of the table top; a lower tablemember, having a lower table surface forming the lower surface of thetable top, the lower table member spaced a predetermined distance fromthe upper table member and disposed in a plane substantially co-planarwith the planar disposition of the upper table member; and a supportmember interposed between the upper and the lower table members andconnected to the upper and the lower table members supporting the upperand the lower table members in a predetermined spaced relationship, themodule receiving openings being formed in a portion of the space betweenthe upper and the lower table members, the support member extendingabout the outer periphery of the table top; a portion of the upper tablemember extending beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by thesupport member and the lid openings intersecting a portion of the outerperiphery of the upper table member, the lids each extending a distanceradially beyond the outer peripheral surface formed by the supportmember forming a lifting surface engageable for moving the lids from aclosed to an opened position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 definedfurther to include: door panel means connected to the support leg meansand enclosing a utility storage space, some of the door panel meansbeing hingedly connected to the support leg means and movable to aclosed position and to an opened position, access to the utility storagespace being provided via some of the door panel means in an openedposition thereof; cuspidor means disposed and supported within a portionof each support module receiving opening; and vacuum source meansdisposed within the utility storage space; and means connecting eachcuspidor means to the vacuum source means; and wherein each supportmodule includes a portion receiving and supporting one of the cuspidormeans.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each support module includesobject receiving depressions formed therein for receiving and supportingthe predetermined objects, a lip being formed about a portion of theouter periphery of and extending a distance from each support module, aportion of the lip engaging the means supporting the support modules ina supported position of the support modules within the module receivingopenings.